Mother Sues Rutherford Jail Over Son's Suicide in Detention

The mother of a man who died by suicide at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center one year ago has filed suit against the county, Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh and the jail administrator, alleging wrongful death, The Nashville Scene reports. Joseph Allen Bauer was arrested in November 2017, accused of shoplifting less than $100 worth of merchandise. He was booked at the detention center, where he told multiple jail personnel about his past suicidal thoughts. Regardless, he was cleared to enter general population and was found hanging from the top bunk in his cell less than 24 hours later. In the suit, filed earlier this month in federal court in Nashville, Mary Ann Bauer asks for $10 million in damages.